Pakistan lose 4th ODI after yet another batting collapse

Kumar Sangakkara scored 97 runs. – Photo by AFP

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka took a 2-1 lead in the one-day international series against Pakistan after winning the fourth ODI by 44 runs as the Pakistani batting collapsed for 199 in Colombo on Saturday.

The hosts set Pakistan a target of 244 in yet another rain-affected match with former captain Kumar Sangakkara scoring 97 and current captain Mahela Jayawardene 40.

Pakistan’s chase received a jolt when Twenty20 captain Mohammad Hafeez was dismissed for 0, his fifth consecutive scoreless innings in ODI cricket. Azhar Ali (81) then combined with Asad Shafiq (25) and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (57) to provide some stability to the chase but was unable to lead his team to victory.

Sri Lankan pacers Lasith Malinga (30-2) and Thisara Perera (42-4) tormented Pakistan again, after unsettling their batting in the second ODI at Pallekele.

Sri Lanka now lead the five-match series 2-1, with Pakistan winning the opening one-dayer by six wickets and Sri Lanka winning the second game by 76 runs in Pallekele.

The third match was abandoned due to rain in Colombo on Wednesday.

The fifth and final ODI will be played at the same venue on Monday.

Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Mohammad Hafeez, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Shahid Afridi, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Sohail Tanvir.

Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga, Sajeewa Weerakoon.

Umpires: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI) and Paul Reiffel (AUS)
TV umpire: Ruchira Palliyaguruge (SRI)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)